Correspondence

by Bluegrass Brooke

Rating: everyone
Tags: Slice of Life, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Romance, Drama, Rainbow Dash, Trenderhoof
Length: 6244

‘I’ll keep in touch.’ Rainbow found it hard to believe Trenderhoof’s words. But then they came; one letter a week without fail. So she did the same for him. A genuine connection formed from that simple exchange and soon left her wanting more.

Rainbow Dash loathed to think of herself as "sentimental." And yet, with her new penpal exchange, she finds herself not only hoarding the letters, but re-reading them as much as Daring Doo novels. Between work and stressing over her replies, Rainbow gives little thought to what drives their conversations. They are natural—flowing as easily as the water over Rainbow Falls and at the same time heart-wrenching. Finally she must face the inevitable question. Can a lasting relationship form from the exchange of a few letters?

Cover art a commission by ZeeDee/Kell95 on FIMfiction/Deviantart.

Published 2016-05-21 00:40:01 UTC
Last updated 2016-05-24 00:29:59 UTC

Prologue — Seaddle Rain

Spring in Seaddle. A time when it was literally easier to take a rowboat to work than walk. Here the roofs sprouted a veritable bouquet of molds and the locals spent half the day drying off from their morning commute to be thrown back into it for the afternoon rush-hour. By any sane pony’s definition, it was the worst time and place in all of Equestria for a charitable race. Unfortunately the Seaddle Foal’s Hospital had determined to put it on rain or shine.

So here Rainbow Dash stood under the awning, taking innumerable pictures with reporters, bureaucrats, and adorable foals alike. The race had finished over two hours ago, and all the other competitors had long since departed to warmer climes. The extra attention felt great at first, but the blowing rain coupled with her already sweat streaked coat quickly whisked away any comfort the situation afforded. Finally, the plump director of the hospital lured the rest of the gawkers away with the offer of warm cookies in the lobby of the stadium.

Seizing the opportunity, Rainbow took to the sky, landing gracefully in front of the outdoor lockers. As soon as she retrieved her saddlebags, she whirled around to come muzzle to muzzle—well, almost—with a lanky, almost feminine stallion. Her eyes drifted from his perfectly coiffed forelock down to his green sweater and finally back into his piercing lavender eyes. The over-large white glasses made him look like a flashy dragonfly eying a mosquito.

“Rainbow Dash. I’m so glad to have caught you,” he said in an sickeningly charming voice that would have made Rarity swoon in an instant. In Rainbow’s case, styrofoam against a white board would have been more appealing.

It did not take long to notice the notebook sticking out of his sweater pocket. A journalist’s notebook. Not again. “I’m done with interviews!”

“Pity. You would have been given a feature on Mare’s Monthly, but I see it was all for not.” His tone and corney smirk implied that being featured in Mare’s Monthly was an honor akin to alicorndom.

“Not interested in your gossip rag, Bucko.”

The stallion stammered stupidly for a moment as if unable to comprehend the very idea of a mare turning down a Mare’s Monthly article. “But it’s the most popular magazine in the country!”

Rainbow rolled her eyes. “Yeah, right up there with Golf Digest . . .”

The false silken quality in his voice vanished in an instant. “Oh, come on! It’s just one interview.” He stepped in her path, a symbolic gesture considering how she could just fly away anytime. “Please, my employers are banking on me getting this article. It’ll take like half an hour max. We can chat over dinner.”

“Dinner?” As much as she loathed fashion, Rainbow detested Seaddle’s over-priced cafés more. Besides, she still had an hour before her train left. “You buying?”

The stallion jerked a nod. “Yes, and I know just the place.” His eyes fell to her still dripping coat. “They’ll be happy to give you a towel to dry off.”

“Fine, lead the way.” Rainbow followed her meal-ticket out into the ever-present stream of rain that lay over Seaddle like a blanket. After crossing the first street, she remembered her manners. “Sorry. Didn’t catch your name.”

He shot her a grin, perfectly straight teeth glistening despite the gloom. “Trenderhoof, but please call me Trend.”

“Trend, eh?” Sounds familiar. Now where have I heard that before . . .

Good conversation, like good books never leads on to the fact that it has completely sucked you into another world entirely. One minute you could be standing in a crowded railway terminal and the next, you were the only two ponies in the world. Such conversations were a luxury considering her “conversations” generally consisted of quick one-liners shot to her friends in passing. Trend however, did not allow her to stop there. With each seemingly finalized sentence, he would draw out another emotion, perspective, or question that made her think more than she had in years. As their time in the diner wore on, she found herself hanging on his every word.

Unfortunately, the spell of the moment shattered when the street lamps flickered lazily to life in the ever-present haze. Her heart skipped a beat. “Hey, Trend, what time is it?”

“Hmmm.” He withdrew an elegant pocket watch from his saddlebags. A small frown marred his perfect features. “Drat. It’s seven-thirty.”

“Seven-thirty?!” The news shot her into action, darting to the door. Unfortunately, reality caught up with her and she slunk back to their booth at a slow walk. “Sorry. I just realized. My train left half an hour ago.”

“Oh,” the cheery quality in his voice all but died, “I’m terribly sorry, Rainbow. I didn’t mean to keep you so long.”

“No, no. It’s not your fault!” In all honesty, she did not mind the delay. She had forgotten the simple pleasure a thought-provoking conversation could bring. “It was a good time, really it was.”

“Yes, and I’ve imposed on you long enough.” A small pamphlet levitated from his bags and he began to scan it quickly. “There’s another train leaving east at eight-fifteen. Why don’t I buy you a ticket and see you off?”

Under any normal circumstances, she would have refused. By all accounts, she should have refused. However, something—be it the request, the situation, or simply the stallion in front of her made her nod her head in soft acceptance. “I’d like that,” she breathed softly.

With that, he set some bits on the table and they set off into the less-than-pleasant Seaddle evening.

“So, when’s that article getting posted?”

“When my superiors get their act together I imagine.”

“Bleh, leave it to the brass to stop the cogs of progress.”

Trend paused for a moment, wide-eyed. Then, he chuckled softly. Not a booming, rumble that Rainbow had grown accustomed to in stallions, but a soft purring. She liked that sound. It felt . . . comfortable. “I didn’t know you possessed that level of wit, Rainbow.”

“What? Jocks can’t be witty once in awhile?”

He stuck out his tongue playful, prancing ahead a few strides. “Well, most jocks aren’t Elements of Loyalty, so I guess I’ll count you as an outlier.”

“Yeah, yeah, keep talking, Pretty Boy!”

They walked on together in silence, approaching the train station at a comfortable pace. With each step, the air felt tighter. Rainbow did not have to be an expert to know the source. “Say, Trend, is something wrong?”

“No—yes . . . well, I suppose so.” Trend’s eyes drifted to hers for an instant. “Would it be alright if I wrote to you?”

Wrote to you? What is this, Little Barn on the Prairie? She did her best to shrug casually. “Sure I guess. Not like I’m going to stop you.”

To her surprise, he grinned from ear to ear. “Thanks. It’s been a long time since I had a pen-pal!”

Pen-pal? The word invoked images of primary school projects and pointless practice addressing envelopes. Well, at least it made the dork happy.

She waited by the rail line for Trend to buy the ticket and return. He proffered it to her with a sheepish grin. “Again, I’m terribly sorry for the inconvenience, Rainbow.”

“Don’t sweat it.”

They stood there together, gazing down the tracks—lost in their own worlds. Scrambling to get some semblance of their earlier conversation up and running, she began to talk. Well, rant came closer to the truth. “So you’re from Seaddle, huh? Never got a letter from a Seaddle pony before. Never got a letter from a stallion before either.” The thought of their local pegasi mail mare hoofing through her mail came to the forefront of her mind. "Don’t put anything weird on the envelopes!” That would invariably lead to a host of misunderstandings.

To her surprise, he just chuckled again. That same, tingly chuckle that set her heart beating just a bit faster. “Okay, okay! Sheesh, I do have class, Miss Dash.”

She snorted back a laugh herself. “‘Class Miss Dash,’ That rhymes.”

His eyes grew wide as he mouthed the words to himself. “Guess so. And,” he took another ticket from his designer saddlebags. “I’ve got my own train to catch once yours leaves. I don’t live in Seaddle. Thank Celestia too, the tax rate’s atrocious!”

“Really? Where do you live?”

“Hmmm. Well, I travel so much I don’t really live anywhere. Mares Monthly is based out of Baltimare, so I technically ‘reside’ there. Though how staying a month out of the year counts as 'residing' is beyond me.”

“You do travel a lot!”

“I told you I’m a traveling author. My talent is portable.”

“And mine isn’t?” She nearly guffawed at the look of mingled embarrassment and surprise at war on his face. “Don’t make such a stupid face, Trend. It’ll stick. Then would would you be? The not-so-pretty traveling Jimbob out for his latest scoop?”

“Hardly.” Though he did rub his chiseled features absent-mindedly. “I’m pretty sure Mom would kill me before that could happen.”

Mom? Though such a common subject of conversation, Rainbow felt immediate, unwelcome tension at the word. No. Don’t think about it, don’t even try to think about it. Before she knew why, her hooves began to quiver on the damp cobbles.

“Rainbow?” Trend reached out a hoof, as if to pat her back.

She spun backwards and into the misty air—a spectacular overreaction even for her.

In the same instant, Trend recoiled as if he’d been slapped. “Sorry. That was quite rude of me.”

No please, don’t misunderstand. It’s not you. Again and again, she tried to think of a good reason, but the words balled up in her throat like a group of clouds intent on blocking the sunlight.

As she started to force the words, a low rumble began to shake their hooves. Sure enough, a split second later, the train had screeched into the station. Her heart sank as the doors flew open—for once, she did not want to go home. Not yet. Not until she cleared up this misunderstanding.

Her eyes fell to her companion as he levitated her saddlebags gently across her back. “There, all set.”

“Trend I—about earlier—” she began.

Trend raised a hoof, cutting her off. “Don’t worry about it, Rainbow. But you’d better get going. The train’s just making a quick passenger stop. Don’t want to keep it waiting.”

“Keep it waiting? What, is it going to refuse to move until I get onboard?”

In answer, she looked towards the conductor’s car where two ponies were glancing between her and their watches. Trend shrugged. “Perks of being an Element of Loyalty. However,” he nudged her gently towards the train, “it would be terrible PR to keep a train waiting just because you’re a celebrity.”

“PR? Sheesh, you really are a famous model.”

“What can I say, I’m fabulous!” Trend gave a good-natured wink as she stepped into the train.

“Trend, before I go, I want to—”

A shrill whistle broke off her words. The symphony of moving mechanics and slamming doors soon followed. Rainbow found herself flinching as her door slammed shut.

Trend took a few steps back, waving back at her. He mouthed some words, but she couldn’t hear them. Judging from his smile, they were the good kind.

Rainbow found herself staring out the window long after the Seaddle lights had faded. Why couldn’t she tell him? Then another thought struck her. Why did she have such a desperate longing to? He was just a random pony. A fashion author even! And yet, she couldn’t bear the thought of her new friend disliking her. Like he cares. Just watch, he won’t even write. Though bitter, the thought gave her comfort. The “friends” they met on adventures were all the same, as fragile as a cirrus. Her friends in Ponyville, now they were forever.

Author's Note

I had wrote some of this months ago. However, health and lack of motivation left it to rot in my gdocs. I decided the time had come to revive it—a long distance romance between two very unlikely partners.

Let me know how I did in the comments below. I always appreciate feedback. Though I'm an editor myself, I often miss errors, so feel free to point them out. Thanks for reading!

— Bluegrass

Chapter One — A New Pen-Pal

Daily routines might suit those chained to the slave master of “efficiency,” but Rainbow Dash preferred to let life catch her off guard. However, there was still one routine she insisted upon—her evening Daring Do re-read with Tank.

Just as she started towards the couch, the mail flap opened and a few letters drifted lazily onto the cloud. Rainbow darted over to collect them, paging through the envelopes. Junk . . . junk . . . bills . . . junk . . . Hello, what’s this?

Rainbow held up the cream envelope addressed to her in nearly flawless writing that could only have come from a unicorn. Huh? Her mind flashed back to nearly a month previously. Could it be? Well, there was only one way of finding out.

Trotting over to the couch, she settled down beside Tank, then, with her usual lack of ceremony, tore open the envelope. The heavy, cologne-laced stationary resembled one of Twilight’s official documents. A quick glance at the first words quickly dispelled that idea.

Trenderhoof? Rainbow felt her heart skip a beat as she ran a hoof across the parchment. “He wrote back,” she breathed, then snorted a laugh. “He seriously wrote back! Wow!” Wow . . . The laughter tripped in her throat, forming a tight knot. Ponies often joked about becoming ‘pen-pals,’ but they never committed to it. Not like this . . .

Her hoof ran over the opener,

‘To my new friend,’

We only talked for a few hours. And yet, it felt genuinely moving to have somepony outside their circle call her that.

Tank nudged the book beside her pleadingly.

Rainbow placed the novel back onto the endtable. Then, she pat the tortoise's head gently. “Not now, Tank.”

As if in understanding, he curled up in his ‘I’ll wait for you’ position. Satisfied, Rainbow turned to the letter. “Sheesh!” Loopy lavender writing covered the entire front and back of the parchment. What’s all this writing for anyway?

Taking the letter firmly in her hooves, she prepared herself for what would likely be a very boring read. After all, it stood to reason that a fashion author wouldn’t have anything remotely interesting to write about. Sighing, she read out loud, more to bolster her resolve than anything else.

“‘Rainbow Dash, I hope this letter finds you well. It is my sin-sincerest desire that it raises your spirits inso-insomuch as a letter from a friend may.’”

Rainbow stared at the words for a good long minute before finally giving up and grabbing the dictionary. As she glanced down at the rest of his letter, she could not help but think it would come in handy.

“‘At first, I considered re-recounting my latest discoveries to you. But, upon further meditation, I realized how dreadfully mundane you would find those accounts to be.’”

Trend’s words left her gaping like a goldfish out of water. How could a flaky fashion-obsessed stallion write so much like an egghead? Though she wanted to stop before she got a headache, she could not admit defeat to a piece of paper. So she read on, squinting a little to decipher his artistic magic-writing.

“‘Well, what to write? That became the question. I knew from our previous conversation that you took no pleasure in fashion or in the latest trends.’”

“Darn right I don’t,” Rainbow huffed. The last time she showed the remotest interest in an outfit, Rarity had talked her ear off for two hours. Never again.

“‘And then I realized I had been acting like an imbecile the whole time. It’s like my Dad used to say, “Sometimes the most meaningful story is the one that comes easiest to you.” So, I decided to share a little of my travels with you. I hope you garner some entertainment despite having traveled a great deal yourself . . .’”

What in Equestria is ‘entertaining’ about this? Rainbow groaned, rubbing her eyes. Focus, focus. Almost done . . . well, kinda.

“‘Well, the company had sent me on yet another wild-goose chase to the middle-of-nowhere Equestria. Such ventures are hardly unexpected in my line of work. This particular trip however has left me, for lack of a better word, spellbound . . .’”

As she continued along, she become so engrossed in the words that she forgot all about reading to Tank.

‘Imagine for a moment a village so in-tune with nature it that it seems to have been hewn from the very trees upon which it was constructed. A place where time has no meaning. Instead, ponies use the rhythm of the seasons to keep a steady metronome. Armed with a compass, map, and a few supplies, I ventured there in search of that certain “spark” my employers continually trust me to find. I could only hope some wandering beast did not find me first . . .’

Rainbow froze, slowly lowering the paper and gaping at Tank. Then a small smile escaped from the corners of her mouth. “This is just like a Daring Do book!” Then, realizing she had shouted, she checked her enthusiasm. “I mean . . . it’s alright.”

For the next half hour she read and re-read his account, soaking it up like any of her favorite novels. This stallion—though a hopeless dork—had a way with words just like Daring. However, his story felt undeniably real in a way that Daring’s novels, though fun, had never managed to achieve. It was as if she could smell the forest, feel the grass under her hooves and interacted with locals just like Trend.

How he did it was beyond her, but she could not deny the power his words held. She did not just enjoy the rest of the letter, she loved it and almost screamed in frustration when she reached the end. The familiar, near-desperation for more overwhelmed her.

“That can’t be it, Trend! What happened after you traveled back? How’d the article gooooo?” she moaned, clasping a hoof to her forehead. “Come on! You left me hanging.”

She flailed on the couch for a good minute before eyeing the pen and paper by the endtable. Generally, she reserved it for writing notes on the weather team’s plans. Tonight she might just have to break them out for a different purpose. I’ve got to hear more . . .

Once her own—far less polished letter had been finished, she searched for an envelope. Then froze. Wait . . . where do I send it? After a few minutes of searching, she found where his envelope had wandered off too.

Sure enough it was scrawled into the lefthoof corner. There were quite a few more lines than return addresses normally had—the reason she had ignored it the first time around.

‘Senior Investigative Reporter - Trenderhoof
Mares’ Monthly circ. Baltimare Headquarters
2987 West Willowbrook Drive
Baltimare, Equestria
003’

“Weird.” Rainbow copied the address verbatim onto one of her own envelopes and a stamp. Good thing Twilight convinced her to keep an ‘emergency stash’ handy. Once she set down Trend’s envelope, she noted another smaller note poking out from the corner.

She snatched it up, withdrawing a small note written onto the corner of a napkin of all things.

‘Blast, I forgot! The article I interviewed you for will be published next week. I’ve had one sent to your house. I hope you like it.’

That’s right. I almost forgot. Strange that she’d forget about getting publicity. Then again, Mares’ Monthly never appealed to her tastes. Wait a minute . . . Mares’ Monthly! Rarity’s favorite magazine. Great, how am I going to explain this one . . .

Trenderhoof shuffled mechanically into the room. Had it really been two months since he last came here? As legalities went, the small studio apartment counted as his “home.” And yet, Trend never felt at home here. In fact, it never ceased to feel awkward, like a hotel that had managed to apprehend his personal belongings.

He lit his horn, bathing the spartan furnishings in a lilac glow—it really would not be worth it to use electricity for a single night’s stay. Trend smiled at the dust-free map hanging on the wall. Spotless as always thanks in part to his dottery old housekeeper. Not that he ever left the place dirty, it just needed dusting every once and awhile. His ears perked up at the pile of mail resting on the bar. Thoughtful of her.

Legs still feeling last week’s hike, he staggered over to retrieve the mail. Junk . . . junk . . . bills. He grimaced at the insurance company’s emblem. Drat, thought I paid that. Just as he made to toss the pile back on the bar, he spotted a small teal envelope between two ads for beauty products.

A closer examination revealed the sloppiest mouth writing he had the mispleasure to come across in a while. Though, to be fair, he generally worked only with his own writing. The letters took up far more space than was necessary as if the sender did not write on envelopes often. Once glance at the name on the return address indicated why.

“Rainbow Dash?” He snorted a laugh, almost beside himself with excitement. “I didn’t think she’d reply!”

With a flourish, he tossed the envelope on the bed. Though he wanted to read it right away, he had to get some of the residual grime off his coat. As much as it embarrassed him to admit, he constantly had to worry about his appearance. A model needed to protect his assets.

One hour later, he came out of the shower. As usual, the forelock hairs clung obstinately to his coat, dripping stray water droplets onto his silk nightshirt. Once again, he found himself exceptionally grateful nopony lived with him. He loathed to think how his fans would react if they knew his characteristic “look” came at the expense of copious amounts of hairgel and years of styling expertise.

He settled atop the comforter. With a satisfied click, he exchanged his overlarge white “work glasses” for the light-framed, comfortable home pair he kept in his suitcase. “Alright, Rainbow. Now that I’m presentable, let’s read what you’ve got to say.”

Talking to myself again . . . Yet another reason to live alone, he mused. His attention turned to the letter at last.

‘Trend,

I was really surprised to get your letter. I mean, like who writes pen-pal letters these days? So old fashioned!’

Trend felt his face heat up a bit. “So what? I think they’re fun! Got a problem with that?”

‘Still, it made me kinda happy. Like, how many times do I get letters in the mail? I think yours was the first since Dad wrote me at flight camp. It really did make me smile.

Sheesh! You’re such an egghead. I didn’t think anypony wrote like that other than Twi maybe. I had to grab the dictionary.’

His laugh echoed around the empty room. “Seriously? You’re such a dork, Rainbow!” A dork who actually bothered to write back. How many ponies wrote back? He knew a few mares that did for a time, but they always gave up when they learned he wasn’t interested. He hoped Rainbow would be different. At the very least, she had not been impressed by his status as a famous model. Maybe, just maybe, she wanted to be a friend. He read on.

‘Your story was awesome by the way. Just like reading a Daring Do novel. Well, better actually! I was hooked.’

That made him blush for real. Nopony had ever said that about his prose. Every time he tried to submit a similar adventure piece to the magazine, it had been rejected. ‘Mares want fashion, not action! Get a job at a camping magazine if you want to sell that crap.’ But Rainbow—a mare and Element of Loyalty—had a blast reading it. That thought alone made him smile. He had enjoyed writing it just as much if not more than his fashion articles.

‘You left off at the good part though. What happened? Did the magazine publish your piece on the local music? Where did you go after?’

“Nowhere exciting.” He grimaced, remembering the eight hour train ride that had followed. “And they haven’t told me yet!”

He frowned at the rest of the letter. So short! Blowing a strand of forelock out of his eyes, he took in the small drawing below her words. Though she obviously would not be winning any artistic awards, he found the picture of Rainbow and a tortoise to be a lot of fun. From the looks of it, they were in a dark forest. Rainbow was holding up a flower while the tortoise was—flying? What the heck, Rainbow?

‘Drew a little something for you since I can’t write like you can. Tank and I like to go to the Everfree sometimes. Dunno if you’ve seen it before, but it’s like a forest where everything went wild. The clouds move themselves and everything! We like to help pick flowers for Zecora sometimes.’

The Everfree? That sounds interesting. Wait. Who’s Zecora? “Guess I’ll have to ask her myself.” He flipped the page over to find some more words. The writing here looked more deliberate, as if Rainbow had contemplated each word.

‘So yeah, that’s that. As much fun as it is reading about your adventures, I figured it’s kinda rude just talking about that. So’

A few words were scratched out after that.

‘you wrote a lot about your trip. Is that normal for you or was that special? I think it’d be fun traveling around Equestria for work. Just between you and me, I don’t really like sticking around in one place. I stay, but that’s more because I have to, you know? Obligations are kinda a bummer.’

The sudden honesty caught him off-guard. They hardly knew each other, and here she was telling him something like that. Trend felt genuinely touched.

‘Do you like your work, Trend? It sounds like you do. I hope you do. I like mine a lot. Though, gotta be honest, I’d like to be flying a bit more than I am. Ever since I took on some management roles, it’s been a lot of paperwork and politics. Blech. Anyway, I hope you have a good day and all that jazz.

Look forward to your next letter,

—Rainbow Dash’

Trend re-read her letter a few times before folding it neatly back into the envelope. Still smiling like an idiot, he lay down, falling into a deep sleep.

Author's Note

Ever tried to write a story about letters without making it all letters? Welcome to my world. Stil, this story is so much fun to write. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do. Join the Trenderdash army, we're always recruiting. :rainbowkiss:

Wrote this kinda late, so if there's any errors or whatnot, feel free to point them out. I rely on you lovely readers for a lot of proofing as I'm a one-woman editing team.

As always, comments are ever-appreciated and help keep me motivated.

Chapter Two — The Article

Pre-dawn. The time when the air grew still and mist rose off of the ground like dragon’s breath. Then and only then, conditions were perfect for flight. Ever since she discovered that fact, Rainbow Dash had not missed a day. Though, keeping flying become increasingly difficult as of late.

Just as she passed over Sweet Apple Acres for the “final push,” a familiar voice called up from the barnyard.

“Hold on, Rainbow!”

Groaning internally, she whipped back to stick a perfect landing atop Applejack’s parked hay wagon. Applejack trotted over from the yard, eyes narrowed. What now? “Yeah, Applejack?”

“Thought you said there wasn’t goin’ to be rain today.” Though outwardly friendly, Applejack’s words still managed an accusatory undertone.

“There isn't supposed to be.” Rainbow did a quick mental run-through of her latest weather chart. “Not till one-fifteen tomorrow.”

Applejack jerked her head towards the Everfree. Following her gaze, Rainbow immediately noted the source of her friend’s irritation—a rain-laden cirrus lazily drifting towards the fields. “What? Seriously? Those night shift guys are getting lazy.”

Applejack raised an eyebrow. “So it wasn’t your doin’?”

“No. I swear, Applejack, I want it sunny today too. We’ve got our lunch picnic and—” she dismissed the thought with a hoof. “Nevermind. I’ll just punch that guy back where he came from.”

“Thanks, I’d appreciate that.” Applejack held out a hoof before she could take off again. “It ain’t too much, is it?”

“What?”

“You takin’ charge of the entire weather team. Do you need help from Twi or—”

“No!” The thought of handing over the reins of her precious team to anypony—even Twilight struck at her core. “I’ve worked hard to become Weather Captain, Applejack. I wouldn’t have been appointed if I didn’t know what I was doing. It was just a new recruit issue is all.”

“Right, well, you just let us know if we can help.”

“Sure.” She took off a little more forcefully than she intended, making clean distance between herself and Sweet Apple Acres. Applejack didn’t mean any insult with her words. Heck, to her, they probably sounded downright neighborly. That didn’t stop them from slicing at her confidence again and again.

Did her friends think her incapable of managing the team? They all had their own jobs, why couldn’t they leave her to hers. Once cloud. One stupid cloud and the entire morning flight went down the crapper.

Rainbow Dash walked slowly inside to her door, determined to shower off some of the residual failure before their picnic. All considering, it had hardly been a “failure,” though she had been forced to lecture the kids on their handling of the night shift. Nopony liked to work overnight, but somepony had to do it. Again and again the same spheal. Maybe someday it’d stick.

Just inside, her hoof lost traction on something slick. A quick glance revealed a glossy magazine lying on the floor just beyond the mail flap. It didn’t take somepony with her eyesight to see the lettering on the cover.

‘Mares’ Monthly’

She returned the fake smile of the cover mare’s with a scowl. Sporting the “latest in mane care products” if the caption was anything to go by. Her eyes however, rested on the words taking up most of the right margin.

‘Exclusive on Element of Loyalty and Flying Ace Rainbow Dash Inside!’

Flying Ace, eh? I like your style, Trend. Smirking to herself, she scooped up the magazine, carrying it over to her couch. Just a teesny peek then.

It didn’t take long to flip to the appropriate section as a full body pic of herself awaited. The high quality photo portrayed her latest performance in Seaddle. Trend couldn’t have taken it—he hadn’t been carrying a camera at least. Stupid as it was, that made her smile. Good to know Trend didn’t take creepy pictures of her without her consent. A good start to any friendship, she reckoned. Tearing her eyes away from the picture, she began to read.

‘The Makings of A Role Model

How one pegasus’ tale continues to inspire ponies of all ages’

Her heart did an involuntary cartwheel. Me? A role model? “But I’m—I’m not ready to be a role model yet, stupid!”

‘When I stepped hoof in Seaddle that rainy day, I expected to see something truly spectacular. What I got was nothing short of life-changing.’

Rainbow did not just read the rest of the article, she inhaled it. Every sentence Trend had written drew up a new emotion from deep inside. Embarrassment. Excitement. Guilt. Pride. So many competing for dominance that she felt as if she might explode. This had gone past an article, it was an ode from a friend.

Smiling to herself, she tucked the magazine neatly away in the rack. “Thanks. I needed that, Trend.” Now however, she had to get ready for the picnic. She only hoped something other than her article would be the hot topic for the afternoon.

Rainbow Dash enjoyed picnics, really she did. They served as a time to chat with friends and catch up between their busy life schedules and local “disasters” that drew attention away from the simple life. However, after the food had been eaten, the conversation invariably drifted into the treacherous waters of gossip.

Most of the time, she could tolerate a little. Who didn’t enjoy a good story every once in awhile? But when that story was about yourself, then it became anything but amusing.

“I don’t believe it!” Rarity’s shrill exclamation hung in the air like the oppressive humidity. The entire picnic party ceased their animated discussion in an instant, all eyes turning to focus on her.

Rainbow twitched when she recognized the magazine held in Rarity’s magic. Mares’ Monthly. Its arrival in their conversation had been imminent. Still, did she have to make that big of a deal out of it?

Applejack raised an eyebrow, “What’s so interestin’?”

“Rainbow Dash had an interview,” an almost predatory smirk creased the corners of her mouth, “and you’ll never guess with who . . .”

Drop it! Please. Rainbow sunk lower onto the checkered blanket, willing the teasing to stop.

Fluttershy leaned towards Rarity. “Who?”

“Trend-er-hoof,” she articulated, letting loose a giggle to rival Diamond Tiara’s.

They all gasped and Twilight turned to Rainbow. “Seriously? After what happened with Rarity and Applejack, I thought you’d be more cautious around him . . . ”

“He’s not some criminal, Twi!” Rainbow spat before she could stop herself.

The entire group went silent, all eyes focusing in on her.

“He’s not a bad pony. Besides, it was for charity.” Yeah, it had been. Not like she had begged Trend for an interview. If anything, it had been the other way around. Poor guy needed his story.

Applejack snorted, “Yeah, but that no account Trenderhoof? He ain’t worth nopony’s time. Probably went an twisted yer words or somethin’.”

“Actually . . .” Rarity held up the article so the others read it. “The article’s more a reflective piece. Wouldn’t you say, Rainbow Dash?”

“Yeah. I mean, he just wanted to get a kind of biography reflection thing.”

“Seems odd to me,” Twilight murmured under her breath. “I mean, it’s great to be praised and everything, Rainbow, but isn’t he—I don’t know—sucking up to you a bit?”

“What, a pony can’t write something nice about me without having an ulterior motive?”

“It’s Trenderhoof,” Applejack snarled. “I reckon he’s got a crush on you, Rainbow an wanted to make an impression. Don’t fall for none of it.”

Fluttershy actually giggled. “I don’t think she’s in danger of that, Applejack.”

Rainbow had never had a conversation get so out of hoof in her life. It felt as if she were strapped to the back of a runaway train with no possible way out. For once, the words didn’t come. Something. Anything to get them to stop. That? Well, it was worth a try. “I talked to him for over an hour and he was crazy polite!”

Rarity took a sharp intake of breath. “You spoke to him for over an hour?”

“Yeah, well . . . we were having fun. Talking like friends,” she emphasized further, “just friends.”

“But he’s Trenderhoof,” Rarity moaned.

Thankfully, Twilight came to her rescue. “Rarity, everypony deserves to have a friend and we all know how much friendship helped us. If Rainbow wants to be friends with Trend, let her.”

Fluttershy nodded emphatically.

“Yup a doodles! Though you kinda have to admit, he’s tooootally her type.”

Rainbow felt all color drain from her cheeks at Pinkie’s words. How was that her type? Everypony else just gaped at Pinkie.

Pinkie just shrugged in a would-be-casual manner. “I got a feeling is all.”

Applejack shook her head.“Listen, it don’t matter none to me either. But, you promise you won’t go doin’ somethin’ crazy?”

“Promise.” Sheesh, we’re just pen-pals! Take a chill pill. Change of topic. Yes, that would be best. At that moment, Applejack commenced a not-so-riveting narrative of harvest prep that saved Rainbow from any further questioning.

As their time together dragged on, Rainbow felt her confidence leak away once more. So what if she had a pen-pal? So what if the others didn’t approve? He was just a friend like they were. A friend who listened in a way nopony else had before. She wouldn’t stop writing just because of one conversation. No way in Equestria.

Author's Note

Yeah, I didn't write the whole article. This is one of those balancing act fics that you constantly debate about when/if you put something in. Here I felt the focus should be on Rainbow's reaction, not the article itself.

As always, comments are ever appreciated!

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